We reported on the opening of the deluxe Montage Deer Valley in Park City back in December, and since then we’ve told you why it’s on of the best ski-in ski-out hotels in the country, but we actually paid the mountaintop retreat a summer visit to try out activities like mountain biking, hiking, archery on the Grand Lawn, and chillaxing at the sprawling spa. However, thanks to a veritable cornucopia of bar games and a hearty menu of American classics, one of our favorite features at the hotel had to be its gastropub, Daly’s Pub & Rec.

One of our favorite vacations ever was the "Saints & Sinners" tour of 2006 when we drove from Central Cali to Las Vegas for two nights of indulgence and debauchery. From there, we drove to its polar opposite destination, Southern Utah, and went off the grid, car-camping for a week. Thankfully, we packed enough vino to overcome Utah’s wackadoodle liquor laws.

In a stroke of genius, the fine state of Utah relaxed ‘em slightly this summer, banning the state’s stupid private member club only system after a 40-year run of complete and utter absurdity.

LDS and liquor laws aside, there are few places in the country as naturally stunning as Utah. So, we soaked up every second of leaf-changing beauty when we were in Park City last weekend. We checked out the hotel scene of course, but we thought it was important to let you know this first: construction is moving along a-okay at the Montage Deer Valley and all signs say "yes" for its December opening. As in December 2010.